If Memphis pulls off a dream offseason, this is what their starting lineup could look like on opening night.
The 2023-24 season was certainly one of a kind for the Memphis Grizzlies. Coming off three consecutive playoff appearances and looking like one of the mainstays at the top of Western Conference standings, the Grizzlies took a step back thanks to the worst injury luck of any team in the association this past season.
In total, Memphis had 33 separate players suit up for them over the course of last season, which set a new record for any NBA team in one season. With so much inconsistency and with so many key players in and out of the rotation, it is no surprise the Grizzlies struggled as much as they did. But assuming the roster can get fully healthy this summer, next year should be a much different story.
Between getting their main guys back from injury and ideally making some key additions this offseason, Memphis should be primed to return to the level of a top-tier championship contender. If they were to pull off all their desired moves over the next several months, this is what the Grizzlies’ starting lineup would look like next season.
Center: Nic Claxton
Of course, this is the biggest move Memphis will potentially look to make this summer. It has been the worst-kept secret in the league that the Grizzlies are hoping to make an upgrade at the center position, either through the draft or free agency/trade. If they go the free agency route, one of their biggest targets will undoubtedly be the Nets’ Nic Claxton.
Just finishing up the final season of his two-year, $17.2 million contract with Brooklyn, Nic will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, able to seek deals with any team in the association. Depending on the size of a potential new deal, signing Claxton could put Memphis into the second apron of the NBA’s tax restrictions, which would limit their ability to make further moves.
But it could just be worth it. Clax will be a highly sought-after free agent this offseason due to his capabilities as a dominant rim-protecting big man. Putting him next to Jaren Jackson Jr. in the frontcourt would create an impenetrable brick wall defending the interior for the Grizzlies.
Power forward: Jaren Jackson Jr.
That leads us right into our next ideal starter for next season. Jaren Jackson Jr. was easily Memphis’ most available star player this past year, playing and starting in 66 games, the most of anyone who suited up for the team. For comparison, Desmond Bane played just over half the season at 42 games, Luke Kennard played 39 games, Marcus Smart 20, and Ja Morant just nine.
Simply being healthy and being able to step foot on the court each night was something Jaren had that nearly no one else could claim in 2023-24. Though he was playing with many new teammates each night and for most of the year not competing for anything of value, JJJ put together a very solid season. He put up a career-high points average with 22.5, along with a career-high 2.3 assists per night as well.
We can admit Jaren was not as much of a defensive monster as he has been in years past, and he was not honored to an All-Defensive team for the first time since the 2020-21 season. But when he has a full roster around him once again next season and has some extra motivation, JJJ should return to being one of the best interior defenders in the association.
Small forward: Desmond Bane
The second-most available of the Grizzlies’ stars this past season, Desmond Bane had a fantastic individual campaign. While shooting right around his career average, Bane put up career-bests of 23.7 points per game and 5.5 assists. He was one of Memphis’ most consistent producers when he was able to be on the floor, and he continued proving what kind of ceiling-raiser he can be for this group going forward.
If you want proof, look no further than his career-high 49 points against the Pistons on December 6. In a game without Ja Morant on the floor, Bane took over and showed his offensive proficiency against Detroit, knocking down 19 of 31 shots en route to a victory. In total, Desmond logged 11 games with at least 30 points out of the 42 he played in last season.
There should be zero question that Morant will have a reliable option next to him going forward that can produce points when asked to. Bane had his own share of injury troubles this past season, but by all accounts he should should be ready to go at the start of next season. The Grizzlies have a long-term fixture in Desmond Bane.
Shooting guard: Marcus Smart
By far the biggest X-factor the Grizzlies will have next season is Marcus Smart. The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year is obviously an incredible talent and a potential game-changer for Memphis. But after trading for him last summer, the Grizz were only able to get him on the floor for 20 games over the course of the injury-riddled campaign in 2023-24.
Smart’s impact was severely limited. But even if he had been able to play 50-plus games, it is not like his contributions alone would have been able to make up for all the other losses Memphis was suffering due to injury. As such, he effectively played a “red shirt” year with the Grizzlies this past season, with it remaining to be seen what he will look like next to Ja Morant in the backcourt
So far, he has not shown anything to make us believe he has fallen off from the level of an all-world defender and timely scorer. In fact, Marcus had his highest career scoring average last season at 14.5 points per night, while shooting a career-best field goal percentage. This was of course in a limited sample size, but it should be enough to make the Grizzlies confident he is the piece they need at both ends of the floor in the backcourt.
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